First Nations rally against anti-terrorism legislation

More than 1,000 people gathered on March 14 at Nathan Phillips Square to stand against Bill C-51, the federal government’s anti-terrorism bill.

There was a strong Aboriginal presence at the rally that was organized by, among others, civil liberties groups, unions and Idle No More organizers.

Elizabeth May, the leader of the federal Green Party, as well as several members of the NDP were present to voice their concerns against the proposed legislation. Noticeably absent was Liberal Party representatives.

Cree Elder Pauline Shirt, conducted the ceremonial opening of the rally. Shirt vowed to continue fulfilling her responsibilities as a protector of the water and defender of the land.

Twenty-two-year-old Vanessa Gray from Aamjiwnang First Nation told the crowd that Bill C-51 and “the Harper government will never stop me from speaking up for the land, for environmental justice and for future generations of all peoples.”

Gray’s community, known as Chemical Valley, is located on the shores of the St. Clair River in Southwestern Ontario. Aamjiwnang is bordered on three sides by Canada’s largest petrochemical refining concentration – 40 per cent of Canada’s petrochemical refineries. Because of this, environmental and health issues are major concerns for the community.

In an interview before her talk, Gray said, “The only reason why the politicians are hiding behind this bill is because we are being effective with organizing large groups of people against the corporations continuing to create health issues in communities like mine.” 

Bill C-51, said Gray, “is going to affect our ability to speak out for the land, to speak out for our rights because it is Canadian infrastructure that is on stolen land and is continuously affecting our health. We need to stop it.”

People are very much afraid of the proposed Bill C-51, said Gray.

“They’re afraid of the secret police. I think they’re afraid of having no privacy and no rights. And this is just giving the police more powers because Harper believes in police rights instead of environmental rights and women’s rights and the freedom of speech. It’s a fascist state that we are told is a democracy,” Gray said.

She received resounding applause at the end of her talk when she said, “This is Turtle Island and let’s never let the Canadian government forget that!”

Green Party leader, Elizabeth May, warned the audience not to believe Stephen Harper on Bill C-51.

“This bill will not make us safer,” May said. “This bill will increase the threat of terrorism while at the same time, as a bonus for Stephen Harper, trampling our rights and freedoms.”† The NDP and the Greens stand in solidarity against C-51, she said.

May said Harper is a miracle worker, because he has united many groups over the bill.

“There are four former Prime Ministers, six former Chief Justices of the Supreme Court of Canada, over 100 experts in law from academia and the practice of law, the First Nations of this country, united with the editorial board of everything from the National Post to the Toronto Star and the Globe and Mail and papers from across this country and the Green Party standing united to stop this bill.

“So what does that tell us about Stephen Harper’s miracle-working powers?” Only one thing was missing, she said, and that is Justin Trudeau, the federal Liberal Party leader.

“This Bill will make it much more dangerous for those of us who oppose pipelines, absolutely!” May said. But C-51 is Harper’s last mistake, she told the crowd.

“He wants Canadians to be scared out of our wits. He wants us to be scared of everyone – different cultures, different religions. He wants us to be divided and fearful. He wants us to be scared out of our wits. But Canadians will not be scared out of our rights,” she said.

As a final note, May said the Bill has already violated section 35 of the constitutional rights of First Nations because there was no prior consultation.

When the speeches concluded, the protestors, led by John Fox, a member of Wikwemikong First Nation, marched along Queen Street and down University Avenue to Front Street. Indigenous women drummers were at the forefront of the march.

No. 1 Photo Caption: Elder Pauline Shirt doing the opening prayer for the Toronto rally against Bill C-51, May 14.

No. 2 Photo Caption: Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party speaking at Toronto Rally Against Bill C-51, March 14.

No. 3 Photo Caption: Vanessa Gray, youth activist from Aamjiwnaang First Nation speaking at the Toronto Rally against Bill C-51, March 14.